North’s elders: Jonathan unfair to our people

Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday described as “unfair” President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration of a state of emergency in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states.

The ACF described the action as an indirect declaration of war on the North.

NEF’s spokesman Prof Ango Abdullahi said the group was disappointed by what he calls the president’s sudden change of tactic on how to resolve the crisis in the North.

”It is very sad for us to see that the President has easily changed direction from dialogue and reconciliation to war in his bid to end the cycle of violence in the North,” Abdullahi said

In a communiqué at the end of its National Executive Council meeting presided over by its chairman, Aliko Mohammed, ACF said the government should not consider the deployment of more troops on the troubled spots as alternative to dialogue.

The communiqué, signed by the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Fati Ibrahim said ACF would monitor the military campaign in the affected states.

The communiqué reads: “The National Executive Council of the Arewa Consultative Forum met today, the 15th of May, 2013 at its national headquarters on Sokoto Road, Kaduna. The meeting which was presided over by Alhaji Aliko Mohammed, the Chairman, was attended by large delegations from all the states of the North. After reviewing and discussing recent developments in the country, the meeting resolved to issue the following communiqué.

“The ACF takes notice of the proclamation of the state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states by the Federal Government on the grounds that attacks and killings by insurgents and other terrorist groups require more massive military response.

“The meeting was concerned that the President appears to invest more faith in a military solution even where evidence from our experiences so far bears no such optimism. It is the hope of the ACF, therefore, that the Federal Government does not consider the increased military deployments as a superior option or alternative to the slower and more tedious path of dialogue, negotiation and conciliation.

“Given the dismal history of peace-making campaigns by the military all over the world, dispatching battalion after battalion to the field in the hope of combating insurgents or terrorists, sounds naïve.

“In particular, the ACF calls on the military to avoid the temptation of deploying heavy handed tactics or adopting measures that will cause increased civilian casualties and bloodshed under the cover of emergency rule. They are well advised to involve the local populace in their operational plans in order to minimise collateral civilian suffering.

“Even so, under the circumstances, ACF will raise a team that will observe and monitor the prosecution of the military campaign under the new state of emergency. The team will collect information and evidence from the field and determine if at all times, the military campaign is conforming with the published terms of engagement and other human rights conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory.”

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday explained that it endorsed the emergency rule because the attacks were capable of breaking-up Nigeria.

In a statement entitled “State of Emergency is Appropriate,” NLC President Comrade Abdulwahed Omar said: “We agree that the level of bloodletting and the co-ordinated and audacious cross-border attacks if not decisively checked are capable of over-running, over-whelming and balkanising the country.”

NLC, said Omar, has resolved that as a pan-Nigerian organisation, every action necessary should be taken to preserve its sovereignty against all acts of terrorism and insurgency.

He urged the government to ensure that the troops and other security personnel adhere to the rules of engagement or be held accountable.

Omar said: “However, we must warn that the government must clearly understand and spell out the rules of engagement to which the troops and other security personnel must strictly adhere or be called to account.

“This is purely an internal security challenge, which if not initially mishandled requires more guile than brawn. It makes little sense for our troops to violate, alienate or annihilate the very populations they are out to protect.”

Omar said the tragic Baga and Bama incidents, which drew global condemnation, were instances to learn from.

The statement reads: “Although government has not dissolved the democratic structures in the affected states, the declaration of emergency should not be a tool for dealing with perceived political enemies.

“While the Congress insists that government must firmly address the issues of corruption, poverty, illiteracy, disease, unemployment and electoral injustice, it is concerned that the border communities often seem to breed insurgents or offer sanctuary to insurgents.

“We, however, call on workers and the Nigerian people not to despair or panic. We cannot be overwhelmed if we resolve not to be. Even this trying moment shall pass away.”

Just relax, when that that is achieved, the BOKO that you gave birth to will have a free opportunity to feed on your bloods for ever.

Ingrates

Tola

James: Don’t forget that your brothers Tompolo, Dokubo etc carry thesame weapon in the Niger-Delta and Oga at the top empowered them. They shall soon use those weapons on you too

needmet

Northern Elders, your sense of judgement is too poor. I wonder why you called yourselves Elders. A play class pupil in a nursery school can reason better than this. Too bad.

Tola

needmet: Just the same way your elders reason.

afam6nr

Obviously, tying all the events, actions, inactions and comments together, one would easily confirm that the Boko Haram Insurgence was designed and sponsored BY A SECTION OF THE COUNTRY with the sole purpose of truncating the Jonathan Presidency and Administration.

Only an imbecile would think otherwise.

Any Country operating without the Peoples Constitution, dialogue would almost always fail; and it has failed in this instance.

The cost of the procrastination in the convocation of the much needed SOVEREIGN NATIONAL CONFERENCE would still remain: Insurgency after Insurgency, Failure of Dialogue, Recurrent State of Emergency, Insurmountable Corruption, Continued Mass Poverty, and Retarded Development.

IT IS YOU NORTH LEADERS ACF THAT ARE UNFAIR TO YOUR PEOPLE FOR HABOURING KILLERS. MORE OF IT IS ON THE WAY TO OTHER NORTH STATES IF YOU DON’T EXPOSE THEM. R A S C A L S………..

Tola

Olusegun: Hnnnmm…… So, Asari, Tompolo, Okah etc are not killers?

Victor

I agree with you, the northern leaders have failed their people and have lost the legitimacy to speak.
The option for dialogue has been on the offer since 2009 but the group has shown that they do not want dialogue. They have gone as far as raising a strange flag writhing the Nigerian territory. That is an outright declaration of war. Boko haram will be history in a few days and your people will be free again. They have killed too many innocent citizens, their days are numbered. The amnesty funds should be directed towards the victims and their families.

Northern leaders, I have just one question, are you Nigerians or northerners?

C y

This A c f are so selfish u see our pp of north favoritism fanaticism and tribal sensitive is our problem those northern state deserves state of emergency and Mr president gave them their political power to exercise now what do want the govt to do in this barbaric killings.

We are disappointed over the comments of ACF. It means you are truly behind all the activities of Boko Haram. There is no way Jonathan or any other president could have ceded some parts of his country to insurgents. The North has disappointed the entire Nigeria. Jonathan, please remember what happened to Aguiyi Ironsi.

Tola

& Yaradua gave the Niger-deltans amnesty oo & had the power to wipe out the whole of S/S/E then. Let’s see how far this ER can go.

Victor

You cannot give amnesty to combatants who will fully refuse to accept any amnesty. The Nigerian military is a formidable force in Africa, boko haram ll be history in a few days.

This ll send a message to future militants. Days of amnesty are over. The money should used for the law abiding citizens instead.

engr Azuka

GEJ is unfair to northern by trying to bring peace in their land, what a comment by northern elders. Ungrateful pp.

Tola

Azuka: & you are sure the peace won’t be peace of the graveyard (if at all it brings it)? Time ‘ll surely tell

jesusb4paradise

CAN A LEOPARD CHANGE HIS SPOT? CAN A LION BECOME A SHEEP OVER NIGHT? THEN MAY YOU LEARN TO DO GOOD THAT ARE ACCUSTOMED TO DOING EVIL. LORD HAVE MERCY ON THE PEOPLE YOU CREATED IN YOUR IMAGE THOUGH THEY HAVE BECOME FALLEN CREATURES.

Tola

The North ‘ll surely rise

Victor

Tola, are you a Nigerian or a northerner? If you were the president, what would you do to a bloody militia group who would not accept dialogue but instead keep killing innocent citizens, policemen and army officers. And also go as far as raise a strange flag in your country. What would you do? What would America have done?

Edet

Ango Abdullahi and his co elders can say whatever they want. How many of their wives, children or relatives were killed by these murderers that they funded for their own selfish political reasons.

ilan

i cant believe that i will see Atiku whom some time wants to be the president of Nigeria to be in that picture, i thank God that baba did not allow him in, it then means you all are financing this boko haram, together with Lai Mohammed. you all are really bad eldears, i expect the youths there to stand against this so called elders, since they love to see people cry

Tola

Oga at the top is achieving his dreams afterall. He has created all these so that you won’t be able to think straight again. & are you talking about unemplyment, bad roads, power outage, corruption etc again?

Victor

At least we have one less problem to worry about. I ll advise you to try and reach out to those who have lost loved ones to boko haram. See their pains, your views ll change.

Mr Man

We need no seer to tell all Nigerians that Northern Elders are behind Boko Haram to make GEJ Govt fail.
Many Nigerians were even blaming Mr President for negotiating with criminals (BH).While BH refused to embrace Govt offer,are the ACF asleep?Why this crying?Govt offer dialogue,BH rejected it,it means they are ready for war.I advise ACF/Northern Elders to expose,within them BH sponsors.No smoke without fire.

Any sensible Intellectual who listen to d so called Elders wil know that they are very Foolish set of Elders. Certainly dey are behind all Boko Haram stuff. Its a shame

Awain

Northern Elders. You will soon get what you crying for, but it may be too late to reject it. God is still in control, not Man. this you must know.

Ndiuno

You purposely invited Boko Haram through pronoucement made by Buhari and co in Minna in Hausa language and you do not want to reap what you sow.

jutices & Equity

Nigeria must survive but until the innocent Biafrans blood shed over 45yrs are atoned ,there will be no peace.The reactions from ACF are allowed.action please.The western ur turn is on the Way.This is not a prophesy.NEVER IN HISTORY OF BLOOD SHEDDING DO THE WICKED GO UNPUNISH.IT MAY TAKE GENERATIONS.

Mique

In the late 60s when a section of the country felt they were not benefitting enough from the entity called Nigeria, asked to be let go from the political experiment or mischief of Lord Lugard. That campaign did not work mainly because of naivety of the other units of the so-called nation. My confusion is this: now that the north does not seem very satisfied with the state of affairs, why don’t they ask to be allowed to GO?

Ekwy

Ango Abdullahi and Northern elders, I would have been terribly surprised if you had said something different from this comment. Few days ago, the same Ango went to one of the Govs in North east and boasted how to snatch power from GEJ come 2015. Northen elders have set up a committee so soon with the sole purpose of recording abuse by our soldiers. This is wonderful. The same elders have NEVER set up any committe to record excesses and wanton destruction of lives and property by Boke Haram all these while. They secretly enjoy these bloodsheds becos it was well planned. God and posterilty will judge you for your selfisf narrow-minded reasonings. The blood of the innocent will haunt all sponsors of BH. do not worry. It is just beginning. Now you will know that there is a govt in place. You will soon realize, if you will ever realize, that God, who know and sees tomorrow brought GEJ at the right time to save millions of innocent nigerians from your agenda.

Bantiok Attramm

NEF are self-centred set of creatures who have eyes but can’t see and who accumulated Nigeria wealth but have nothing meaningful to show up. People who think they have the final saying as if better than other regions. The President foresees the future os this country than they. One few of them have the interest of this country at heart. They should be grateful that Mr President is a lion or tiger, otherwise he supposed would have declared this state of emergency long ago. Of what important are they to the north? Do they think making these negative comments in papers would throw dust into people eyes to see them as poeple who have the region at heart? Wolf crying!

I am a northener but i am in full support of emergency rule in the states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.There is nothing Jonathan would have done other than what he has done considering the fact that all effort by the federal government to end the crisis failed.

rich

Arewa Embarrassed as it Statement Supporting Heavy Military Operation in Niger Delta Resurface.

Today, the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, is against the State of Emergency declared by the President in some Northern State. Last week the forum speaking through Anthony Sani had said “I do not believe state of emergency would be the panacea for the security challenges facing the nation. This is because it never addressed the ethno religious crises in Plateau State where it was applied for similar reasons. Also when state of emergency was applied in some local government areas in order to check the insecurity, it still did not deliver the needed peace.”

Sani “seriously” appealed to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) “and those opposed to amnesty and dialogue to please give the dialogue and amnesty a chance, considering that the use of force has failed in counter terrorism not only in other climes but also in Nigeria when President Yar’Adua used it in 2009. It has also failed to deliver the desired result in Bama.”

But in 2009 the same Arewa Consultative Forum supported heavy military action against Niger Delta militants who did not kill innocent civilians like Boko
Haram is currently doing. Below is the statement that the ACF released in June of 2009;

“No responsible government can afford to fold its hands and watch a few misguided elements of its citizens hold the nation, including their own people and communities, to ransom.

More depressing, the will of the Armed Forces is being challenged when their members are killed in the course of their national assignment. In such circumstances, government cannot reasonably be expected to shirk in its responsibility of maintaining law and order. Hence the recent campaigns by the Operation Restore Hope by the military, aimed at ridding the Niger Delta region of criminal activities of the militants.

The campaigns must necessarily come with collateral damages, the JTF must maintain at its possible minimum.

This is how the current actions of the military in the Niger Delta should be viewed by all ‘fair-minded’ individuals with ‘patriotic courage.”

Ekwy

Rich, you have just finished the whole matter. You went into achives and brought out a bombshell that nailed the coffin of these people. Could their stand in 2009 be because of the fact that their “Son” was in power?? Now, they are no longer ‘fair-minded’ individuals who have patriotic caurage. Deployment of heavy military hardware has become a crime that deserves setting up committes to observe and document high handedness. Oh how wicked the human heart is!!!

Northern elders/leaders are embeciles. the emir of kano and other very important personalities were attacked and some killed by BH. Now govt. want to help them stop the killings, they are accusing THE president. i wish BH should go for th elders. they are the one that has improverished their people, having ruled the country for more than 40years out of 53years of independence. My PRESIDENT CONTINUE, in ur modest decision, otherwise lets peacefully seperate, and every tribe go their way.

Victor

I wonder the reasoning of the so-called elders in the north who said that the president is not fair with the declaration of state of emergency, all these while innocent people have been dying, they ve not done anything to bring peace. mind what u say and do because one day we ll all give account of our actions in this country. remember that, the northern elders re not better than these ones who ve died as a result of the wicked acts of Boko Haram.

Leo

It is foolhardy for the ACF Elders to reasoned that the state of emergency imposed by the President to stop the BOKO HARAM madness in those three (3) states would said to be Unfair. What about those days in the Niger Delta were troops were sent down there as if there was War going on there, where were they, ofcourse that of the Niger Delta was a just course, yet to create an atmosphere of peace troops were deploy there, now the senseless Boko Haram with no Idealogy, rather than some set of political jobbers who take the advantage of the almajiri’s provide them with training and arms to make the country ungovernable as treatened by their sponsor to see that the President does not achive anything meaningfull and , thurs creating distraction by posing security treats to the Nation. No section of Nigeria can be Islamised by any group or persons. The State of emergency decleared by the President to check this Boko Haram madness should be embraced, except the ACF Elders have a hidden agender that the want to propagate with the BOKOs and thier sponsor. A word of caution

Walter

Those against emergency rule are BOKO HARAM sympathizer(NEF,ACF,ACN); they have never condemn BOKO HARAM activities or condole with the family of their victims! Because the sect killings are selective that is why NEF and ACF are against the decision of the president; if they have lost one or two of their close relative, may be their stand would have be in support of the FG. Thumb up NLC, you guys have graduated from your childish character of “we non go gree”. now you study the situation before you make input; I say this because Adams Oshiomole former NLC president who was against fuel subsidy but immediatly he became the governor of Edo state, he started educating Us for the need for subsiding remover; because that mean more money for the states to share!

naphidiah samuel

APOLOGY
please 4gv prof. Ango for his unguarded statement. The statement portrays all northerners as members of BH, Which of course not. It’s a slipery of tongue out of anger against right decision taken by GEJ. FG. To tackle BH sects.

Peace

I am disappointed by the comments by Northern Elders on BH and the emergency rule in the three Northern States.

Patrick Agbobu

WILL THESE PROFESSONAL SELF IMPOSED LEADERS AND POLITITIANS PLEASE GIVE NIGERIA A BRAKE AND STOP OVER HEATING THE POLITY. WHO MADE YOU THE LEADERS OF THE NORTH, YOU ARE JUST A MYTH AS WAS THE KADUNA MAFIA OF YEARS GONE BY. FOR CRYING OUT VERY LOUD, NOBODY OR A GROUP OF PERSONS HAS A DEVINE RIGHT TO RULE NIGERIA. WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN, YOU WILL BE EXPOSED AS YOU DO NOT SPEAK FOR THE ENTIRE NORTH. DURING THE OVER 30 YEARS OF MILITARY RULE IT WAS DOMINATED BY PEOPLE OF NORTHERN EXTRACTIONS, SAME GOES FOR THE ECONOMY AND THE CRUDE OIL OUR MAIN MONEY MAKER WHICH IS FROM THE SOUTH. ALL THESE YEARS THE SOUTH DID NOT RAISE HELL. CAN YOU LOOK AT YOUR NORTHERN BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THE EYES AND TELL THEM WHAT YOU DID WITH ALL THE MONEY YOU MADE FROM CRUDE OIL AND HOW THEY BENEFITED FROM THIS HUGE AMOUNT. STOP CONNING NIGERIANS AND ESPECIALLY YOUR FELLOW NORTHERNS, WITH THIS YOUR BOLONY OF POWER MUST GO TO THE NORTH IN 2015. YOU DO NOT SPEAK FOR THE NORTH, YOU DO NOT SPEAK FOR THE SOUTH, YOU DO NOT SPEAK FOR NIGERIA. YOUR ONLY INTEREST IS FOR YOURSELF, YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR FAMILIES AND CRONNIES. DO YOU THINK WE ARE FOOLS

Ans

So called norther elders and ACF, it is time you changed your old religious guided tactics of north
for the northerners and Nigeria for all. Stop dueling in the belief of the past. Time has changed,
the World now is a global village. The young generation wants to move on with the rest of the world
in terms quality education, modern infrastructure, employment, good roads, peaceful co-existence,
protection to life and property etc.
How could you say that the declaration of emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, is a declaration of war on the north. If i may ask you elders, Does these three states represent the entire north? How can the
govt. talk to unwilling terrorist and criminals? Why don’t you see the wrongs of Boko Haram, rather,
you see that of the govt? Why don’t you support the call of national conference to sort out things.
You elders should stop deceiving us, we have since known that you are the sponsors of Boko Haram,
your game is up.

JAMES488

The nef and the acf should be quite and watch what is going on,its not yet time to judge we need the boko boys to be totally buried,if u know ur one of their sponsors u better back out now or else!.

Toka

Why gambling with human life in this country call Nigeria. I want us to make one experiment. Let NTA journalist start televising every individual on each state weather the North and south should go their separate ways o still stay together and the answer will amaze you. we need to divide this country we dont think same way with this fulanis people are invaders right from time and that is what they are nothing will change them from that. I want to make it clear to them that when they say the North they should not for get that the Middle Birth are there also. ACF ACF ACF why interfering in the military duties. I think it is time the military should go after all this useless Idiots who call them self demon elders. weather the like or not this country will divide we shall have south Nigeria and North Nigeria. just like other countries. Federal Government should stop wasting our resources and money from the south south on this goats in agbada. they are ungrateful people what is flowing from their Area nothing. even the cow and other live stock they have in that region as a mineral resources is been mange by individual from that region they make lots of money from these resources same money they are now using to bring havoc to us.

marquis

we can see dat mr ango abdullahi who is supposed to be a scholar cannot see beyond his ethnic group..kano park was bombed, he was silent..well mr abdullahi, i am not interested in tracing d history of northern blood letting in nigeria at d moment, long before boko haram evolved…i just want u to know dat ur comments are imbecilic to nigerians..everybody is fed up with northern violence..just go, form ur medieval republic and allow d rest of nigeria to become further civilized and digitalized..u people stink…

AKINLOYE

Norther elders , oh sorry for your mission has failed. think right next time you want to cause problem for other tribes ruling Nigeria. Your calculation has totally failed and failed as you are all failed. i wish all other regions agree to call for the conference ,so the good ones will be separated from the fulani’s . Cos , no relationships between the so call hausas and normal human beings. tell me , can a man fight for God? is your gods asleep that he cannot convert every body to your religion of hope? ah! you are sick .

Northern Elders Forum is d real enemy of North. Most crop of ppl in dat group are bad eggs…during their days in govt. Circle, wat was their achievement for North? They now critics to fool their youths as if they ever loved North. If they are not the sponsors n supporters of Boko Haram, wat have done in dat direction to solve d problem? Their game is up, now they are crying wolf wit d game they started over 30 years wen they were busy insiting their youths to kill Christians n Visitors in North, Using Mosque a holy place to plan evil n store arm without the fear of God…this failure called NEF will never keep quiet and GEJ try 2 rduce d elements who may later turn sectarian in future wanting to control minority Islamic sects as it happens in Pakistan, Afganistan etc…I’m surprised, they were complaining that FG is not doin enough 2 solve d Problem but 2day they state of emergency is not fair…dis means they are confused…they never spoke out against terrorism…they never beg d boys…but they amnesty dat d boys rused…this is funny in 21st century…this elders should never be taken serious by honest northerners…they build mansion, send thieir kids 2 Malaysia 2 study while pooe malam kids are begging in d streets…wat a shame of Elders.

d law

who are u tola. so disappointed. let d evil men face evil too. fools

Florence Amachree

President Jonathan made the right decision inorder to give security to the people. Please dont mind those ACF elders. they are barbaric and does not want anything good for nigerians. GOD bless you Mr. President for taking the best step.

sam

Northern elders are brainless,some of them have millions of dollars outside the shores of the country can’t them open industries and employed their people and teach their people how to catch fish how can a man marry three to four wives with 20children and said God will take care of children can’t he born the one he can take care of,all those northern elders children they will send their children to western world to be educated and alimajiri will be the one to go to arabic school where the will brain wash then,yoruba muslim and hausa muslim are they not the same muslim.there is a time they kill one Ibo man and cut off his head and put it on stick and go about Kano and shouting allar akbar am image of living God a comsuming fire, Alpha and omega,Lion of tribe of Judea image they cut off the head and go about in Kano and shouting jubilating,your people are puting a curse on your children children,good thing will never comes out from core north

Yunusa Abubakar

Time will tell you chicken brains if northern elders are wrong. I don’t blame u for recommendin seperation. but do remember the vast untapped wealth is with the north.

Pete

Northern Elders Forum is a pack of Christian and southerners haters. Jonathan can never please them simply because of his religion and tribe. As far as they are concerned, it’s gotta be a Hausa/Fulani president or nobody. Their opinions are always jaundiced.

ahmed

Ango Abbdullahi, Aliko Mohammed and Fati who amongst u is from those affected states and which effort have u done to salvage those states from the menace of BH. U called Ur selves Northern elders for the past years that north was ruling the country what have u contributed to improve the masses living in the north apart from creating disunity in the north in the name of religion/tribal sentiment, it is now u are calling for protection of civilians, can u in precise say the numbers of civilians killed/slaughtered by Ur cohorts called BH, I know security agents are not part and parcel of Nigerians people when they are killed is none of Ur business but when they depend themselves in the course of their work it turn to something else in your eyes. these BH are the spirit? are they not living amongst u? is it not Ur duty to call them to order if u are really elders? u people should stop all this hypocrisy in the name of north so that peace will return those restive states, and the indigenes that fled those states should have a course to go back to their fathers land and live in peace with one anther.

lanre mustapha

GEJ, don’t mind them. U shd totally ignore their rantings. It has no effect whtsoever. I want to blf that reasonable & intelligent Nigerians know the imperative of ur action. Wt this singular action of urs, u’v bcome more popular among Nigerians ‘cos it’s long overdue. They also av more confidence in u. Carry on, our slow but steady, calculating and democratic president. Never mind the dissents; they are political jobbers. Supporters of these emergencies far outweigh those who are merely criticising for the sake of seizing the mantle of power despite the fact that their is no spectacular & meaningful welfare programme in place for the masses.

Chiedu

FUNNY ELDERS UNA BE.

Where were you when Boko Haram were killing people will no impunity???

Only when they bombed the United Nations did you speak up, because of external views.

Apart from that you are okay will Boko Haram once they kill the rest of nigerian.